Suppress Bolted Connection Issues

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

I have finally figured out how to get the bolted connections exactly how I want them in my top level assembly. The holes go through 3 different parts within 2 sub assemblies. 

The problem I am having is that I am using iLogic to make my model totally adaptable and not all configurations of this product contain the sub-assembly that needs the bolted connections. When I change the configuration to one where the bolted connection is not needed, I get errors and the design doctor cross lights up.

When i go into the design doctor i have all these errors about the comonent pattern failures. The pattern is the bolted connection pattern and it is failing because the parts that are being bolted together are suppressed. One of the three parts remains although the holes are no longer necessary so I have them suppressed as well.

In my rule i suppress the patterns when they are not needed as well as all referenced holes but i still get the errors. Why can't the bolted connection just realize its not needed especially when my rule is telling it to be suppressed. 

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks

Sandro

[CCarreiras · Accepted solution]

Hi!

Avoid using Bolted conection + iLogic, specially if you will have to suppress them.

[Anonymous]

Hi ,

That is some really unfortunate news, Is there absolutely no workaround for this? I don't understand this pretty enormous limitation of Inventor if what your'e saying is true.

This means that If I choose one configuration of our product, I will have to remember to manually insert the bolts because my BOM will be wrong...

Thanks
Sandro

[CCarreiras]

No.

You can still use the bolts, but inserted mannually, not with the bolted connection.

If you want, place the model and i can take a look...

[Anonymous]

Carlos,

I think my boss would have a heart attack if I put up the file...
Thanks for the offer though. I will try to insert them manually although i am worried about how patterning them might work out. I also now have to figure out how to match the hole patterns within one of the parts because I was relying on the adaptable pattern to automatically make the holes in the required parts.
Ill let you know how it goes...

Thanks
Sandro

[CCarreiras]

🙂

I understand... and nobody want's to kill your boss...

I'm a support guy, I'm not working in any company as a cad designer, i'm used to receive all kind of projects.... i can keep yuor secret 🙂

If you wanna email me, go ahead. I can see what i can do.

[Anonymous]

Carlos,

I have attempted what you suggested and I basically ran into the exact same problem.
The pattern I had my bolted connection following in on one of the parts but since the bolted connection allows me to choose my start plane as well, I was able to pick where the bolt actually begins as well as telling it to follow the pattern. Without this capability of the bolted connection i was forced to create a sketch on the previous "start plane" and project the geometry of the existing pattern..

I got everything set up and added all the fasteners just the way I liked them and in their proper patterns, everything looked good until I tested it by changing the configuration where the bolts were no longer needed.

I do not have the same error regarding the bolts, but now with the configuration changed, The projected geometry from the sketch is referring a pattern that no longer exists. Now I have a big exclamation mark beside the sketch... Any ideas?

I appreciate it

Thanks
Sandro

[Anonymous]

just to add some more information that may help...

For some reason when I go back to the configuration where the bolts are needed, some of the constraints that were set by the autodrop seem to have disappeared because the bolts are scattered across the model space. Even after i manually reconfigure the contraints, change the configuration out to where the bolts aren't needed and then back again, the bolts still dont co operate.

Thanks
Sandro

[Anonymous]

So I was able to get this to work without a bolted connection and still able to use my iLogic rules...it took quite some time to do it but its working now.

After i finally figured out how to get a sketch on three separate components to have holes in the exact same location with the exact same pattern, I had to manually place the first bolt, 2x flat washer, lock washer, and nut within the hole. I then made ANOTHER pattern (matching others, NOT following) for the fasteners. My iLogic rule now has a few more lines in the code telling the bolts, holes, and patterns to turn off when not needed.

Unfortunately I guess this is my new process when adding fasteners that I occasionally do not need.

Anyway, Thanks for the help!

Thanks
Sandro